A word to the wise…

April 5, 2011

Dear Max

One of the things I wish I could do, or wish that I wanted it bad enough, is play the guitar. And sing well. I’ve always had dreams of being able to strum a guitar and sing a really cool song. I think this comes after all my days at camp, and campfire nights spent drinking hot chocolate, smoking Camel Lights (yes, it’s out there now) and watching the cool kids on their guitars.

So many great songs came from those great nights, and there’s one that I heard this weekend that I *need* to share, something that touched me so much, that still does. It comes from Cat Stevens, is called Father and Son, and part of its beauty is the music itself, but I hope to one day listen to it together (someone else will be playing the guitar and singing) and that we’ll feel its awesomeness together. You might not be a kid of words now, but I suspect you’ll find good stuff in writing. I’ll be sharing lots more…

Father
It’s not time to make a change,
Just relax, take it easy.
You’re still young, that’s your fault,
There’s so much you have to know.
Find a girl, settle down,
If you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy.

I was once like you are now, and I know that it’s not easy,
To be calm when you’ve found something going on.
But take your time, think a lot,
Why, think of everything you’ve got.
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not.

Son
How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away again.
It’s always been the same, same old story.
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen.
Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.

Father
It’s not time to make a change,
Just sit down, take it slowly.
You’re still young, that’s your fault,
There’s so much you have to go through.
Find a girl, settle down,
if you want you can marry.
Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy.

Son
All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside,
It’s hard, but it’s harder to ignore it.
If they were right, I’d agree, but it’s them you know not me.
Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away.
I know I have to go.